Texarkana, Arkansas – On August 30, 2010, at approximately 3:20 pm, United States Marshals Service Prisoner Anthony Lewis attempted to escape from the Bi-State Justice Center in Texarkana, Arkansas. Lewis was awaiting sentencing for Bank Robbery by Force of Violence. Anthony Lewis was a 30 year old black male from Springhill, Louisiana.

Lewis escaped from a fenced recreation area on the roof of the facility. Lewis attempted to lower himself to the ground with a rope made from clothing when he fell approximately five stories to the ground. Law enforcement officials in close proximity contacted EMS immediately. The inmate was transported to Wadley Regional Medical Center in Texarkana, Texas in critical condition. Lewis was subsequently transferred to UAMS in Little Rock, AR at approximately 7:30 pm and was pronounced dead at 10:45 pm from injuries sustained from the fall.

Federal detainees are customarily placed in the custody of the United States Marshals Service. The U.S. Marshals Service contracts with local jail facilities to provide inmate housing. The incident is under investigation and no other information is available at this time.